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Dental Care: Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth
When you brush your teeth:
- Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning and at night.
- Use a toothbrush with soft, rounded-end bristles and a head that is small enough to reach all parts of your teeth and mouth. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
- You may also use an electric toothbrush that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Studies show that powered toothbrushes with a rotating and oscillating (back-and-forth) action are more effective than other toothbrushes, including other powered toothbrushes.1
- Place the brush at a
45-degree angle
where the teeth meet the gums. Press firmly, and gently rock the
brush back and forth using small circular movements. Do not scrub. Vigorous
brushing can make the gums pull away from the teeth and can scratch your tooth
enamel. - Brush all surfaces of the teeth, tongue-side and cheek-side. Pay special attention to the front teeth and all surfaces of the back teeth.
- Brush chewing surfaces vigorously with short back-and-forth strokes.
- Brush your tongue from back to front.
Some people put some toothpaste or mouthwash on their toothbrush when they do
this. Brushing your tongue helps remove plaque, which can cause bad breath and
help bacteria grow. Some toothbrushes now have a specific brush to use for your
tongue.
Floss at least once a day. The type of floss you use is not important. Choose the type and flavor you like best. When you floss your teeth, use any of the following methods:
- The
finger wrap method : Cut off a piece of floss
18 in. (45 cm) to
20 in. (50 cm) long. Wrap one
end around your left middle finger and the other end around your right middle
finger, until your hands are about
2 in. (5 cm) to
3 in. (8 cm)
apart.
- The
circle method
: Use a piece of floss about
12 in. (30 cm) long. Tie the
ends together, forming a loop. If the loop is too large, wrap the floss around
your fingers to make it smaller.
Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums.
Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape and gently slide it under the gum
line. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off the
plaque. Popping the floss in and out between the teeth
without scraping will not remove much plaque and can hurt your gums.
A plastic flossing tool makes flossing easier. Child-size
flossing tools are available for parents to use to floss their children's teeth.
They are available at most drugstores.
If your gums bleed when you floss, the bleeding should stop as your gums become healthier and tighter next to your teeth.
Test Your Knowledge
It is better to brush my teeth with gentle, circular motions than to scrub vigorously.
TrueGentle brushing with a soft toothbrush keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing too hard can make the gums pull away from the teeth and can scratch your tooth enamel.
FalseGentle brushing with a soft toothbrush keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing too hard can make the gums pull away from the teeth and can scratch your tooth enamel.
If my gums bleed when I floss, it means that I probably should not floss.
TrueIf you have just started flossing your teeth and your gums bleed when you floss, it probably means that your gums are not used to cleaning. The bleeding after flossing should stop as your gums become healthier and tighter next to your teeth. Talk to your dentist if the bleeding after flossing does not stop after a few days of regular flossing.
FalseIf you have just started flossing your teeth and your gums bleed when you floss, it probably means that your gums are not used to cleaning. The bleeding after flossing should stop as your gums become healthier and tighter next to your teeth. Talk to your dentist if the bleeding after flossing does not stop after a few days of regular flossing.
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Where can I learn more about good dental health?
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Dental Care: Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 18, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Arden Christen, DDS, MSD, MA, FACD - Dentistry | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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